Community Information:ACADEMICS

Education is always in the forefront of conversation in Metro Louisville and its surrounding counties. The community is always interested in investing in the future by providing innovative and impressive educational opportunities for all citizens. A commitment to educational excellence has led schools in Kentucky and Indiana to receive national attention for the scope and quality of their teaching methods and reform initiatives. Local students can choose between highly esteemed public systems, private schools, and universities and colleges big or small.

PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS

KENTUCKY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS

In Kentucky children who will turn 5 years old before or on October 1 of the current school year can be enrolled into kindergarten. Prior to a child attending school, the parent must supply the child’s birth certificate, a current Kentucky certificate of immunization, and proof of a health exam performed within six months prior to entry. In the first year that a child (ages 3-6) is enrolled in a Kentucky public school, proof of an eye examination must also be submitted by January 1 of that year as well as proof of a dental screening for ages 5 to 6. For full details regarding the Kentucky public school systems please visit: education.ky.gov

Below is a list of school districts in Metro Louisville and surrounding counties. For a complete list of public school districts in Kentucky please refer to the Kentucky Schools Directory

A child must turn five-years-old by August 1st to enter kindergarten in Indiana. Children are enrolled within the boundaries of the school system in which the parents live, and parents need to provide the school with the child’s birth certificate, social security number, proof of residency, and immunization records. For full details please refer to the Indiana Department of Education: www.doe.in.gov

Below is a list of Indiana school systems that are within or near Metro Louisville.

East Washington County Schools1050 N. Eastern School Rd.Pekin, IN 47165812-967-3926Website

New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated Schools 2813 Grant Line RdNew Albany, IN 47150812-949-4200Website

West Clark Community Schools601 Renz AvenueSellersburg, IN 47172812-246-3375Website

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Every child is unique and every parent wants specific things for their child, which sometimes makes private school a better fit. Parents will find many local alternatives to public education from parochial schools to independent private schools. Private schools that specialize in something, such as performing arts, can be found in Kentuckiana, as well as private schools with enriched athletic programs. Use the resources below to research the area’s private education options:

HOME SCHOOLING

Occasionally parents will decide that their child will further succeed academically at home under the instruction of the parents. Home schooling is a choice that is made for a wide range of reasons, some that are academically-related and some that are based on other circumstances, or a combination of both. Prior to choosing to take this route for a child’s education the parents should be fully prepared for the responsibility and understand the requirements.

The Kentucky Department of Education and the Indiana Department of Education offers guidelines and resources for parents interested in home schooling their child including descriptions of the legal requirements and state academic standards, best practices, record-keeping forms, and reading lists.